From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

Ever go to a loud concert and try to talk to someone? The noise drowns out the sound of your friend’s voice and you can’t hear a word that is said. You either have to leave the noise area or turn the noise off. That’s simple and understood by anyone with half a brain.

So why is it that you don’t carry that principle over to your walk in the Lord? Want to hear God’s voice more clearly…then leave the noise area or turn it off!

If you had a meeting with a prospective employer for the job of your dreams, would you show up with headphones on and your IPod blaring? I doubt it! So why do you show up in the presence of God with all the “noise” of your world blaring in your ears? Shut it off.

And I do know that is hard to do because I struggle with it all the time. But what treasures in the Lord you will receive if you start each day quietly sitting in His presence, waiting on Him before you jump into the work of the day - waiting before working, actually trusting God to give the time back to your day that you have given Him. Now that is spiritual strengthening of great magnitude. Make the devil shake in his boots at the thought! Endure the fire—it’s producing pure gold!

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